OK. I know that this is not 'Divide and Fall' like I promised. Sorry. I do tend to get ahead of myself. Those darn Skittles give me notions ya know. Anyway. Still lots of pace and action (as much as you can have on a walkabout in a forest, right??) so I hope you enjoy. Sorry about the long wait, but I'll try and post the this and the next chapter in quick succession. And I refuse to name it in case I'm wrong. Again.

It seemed to Gimli, son of Glóin, that the long journey to Mordor would be fraught with danger and woe and worry. This was something that he'd anticipated at Rivendell. He felt that undertaking such a journey, while necessary and noble, would also appease those who might have cast a critical eye on the dwarves as a cowardly race, who would have all other free peoples fight their battles.

Gimli felt in his heart that this was not the case. He himself did not fear death so much as the prospect of slavery. He would fight to the death, as he knew many comrades would to repel such a threat. He did not pretend to understand the thoughts of his ancestors when they'd closed the doors to the halls of Moria, a millennium ago when Sauron first rose to power, but he did not believe for a second that such a decision was borne out of cowardice.

 As he ploughed his oar deep into the crystalline waters, it felt good to feel the strain of his muscles as he poured his effort into maintaining the fast pace. Sam, the quietest of the hobbits, aided him but the boat was more laden than before for they carried Merry and Pippen also. The two prattled endlessly, arguing about everything, from their versions of the history of the Anduin to who would take the first watch when the next went ashore.

Up ahead, Aragorn and Boromir pulled the oars, while Frodo sat between them in a daze, eyes wandering around aimlessly, small halfling fingers constantly toying with the Ring that hung like a lead weight from his neck. Every now and then, Gimli spied Boromir staring intently at the boy, occupied presumably with the Ring. It was stranger than most the pull it seemed to have of the Steward of Gondor, and his perpetual attentions troubled the dwarf greatly.

Behind them, Legolas and Nephryn rode, speaking continuously in hushed tones. They'd asked to travel alone to discuss a private matter, and it had mattered not to Gimli whom he travelled with as long as they all arrived safe and well. So the pair of elves offered to take the small amount of supplies the company was brought in order to more evenly disperse the weight. Gimli could not hear what was being said, only that the tone was not one of joy, but grave and even sorrowful.

He hoped that there were not ill tidings ahead for the pair. In Lothlorién, the dwarf discovered a newfound respect for the elven people. The Lady of the Wood had captivated him completely and he was not ashamed to admit this. He'd cried openly when they'd finally lost sight of the fair Elf-queen. Neither was Gimli blind to bond that was more than friendship that held fast between Legolas and the sylphlike elf-maid.

When she'd cast her magic to lift the fog, though she did not know it at the time, Legolas had worried gravely for her. He'd not spoken to Gimli of it, but the dwarf felt that he knew the elf well enough to recognise the rarely seen lines of worry that drew his fair face. Gimli knew that for the elf to show his feelings so overtly, there had to have been a true bond between he and Nephryn.

It was apparent also that Legolas's fears were not tenuous for when they'd rested earlier, Gimli had noticed how Nephryn was forced to lean on Aragorn for support as she went ashore, and later how her appetite had dwindled and how pale she'd been. It seemed that such powerful and valuable magic was not without a price. It was a true testament to the courage and abilities of the elf-girl that she was so willing to pay it.

His attentions were drawn back to his own charges and he listening in mirth as Pippen moaned pitiably for the want of second breakfast. As the journey progressed, though his limited patience might be severely tried, Gimli could not think of better companions than those who still found time to consider the mundane.

Legolas was absorbed in thought for most of the day. Nephryn had told him her tale, and as each word passed her lips, it was with joy he saw a great weight lift from her being, and an equal sorrow felt it settle onto his own. He was overcome with guilt when he thought of how he'd unleashed his anger on the peaceable elf-maid and driven her away to dwell alone on her difficult news, when she'd come to him in the hope that he'd ease her fears. It made the recent lapse in their relationship seem all the more ruinous.

Beside him, Nephryn had regained her strength and her slim arms pulled vigorously on the paddle. She stared up at the tall cliffs that now lined the Anduin. Her eyes darted back and over the edges, as though trying to pick out something that did not belong. She'd been silent after she'd recounted the details of her true reasons for accompanying the fellowship, and though Legolas yearned greatly to discuss the matter in greater detail, he knew that the elf-maid had no more answers and that such a discussion would only stress the uncertainty if the entire situation. Equally he wanted to take her in his arms and soothe away the seeming permanent lines of worry that had settled over her features. It dulled her eyes and drew her face and he longed for the day when he would see once more the carefree grin that split her face and lightened her entire countenance.

Up ahead, Aragorn turned around and shouted back to the two boats behind him.

"We will rest now and depart as soon as the sun rises again." He pointed to tall looming clouds that approached like giant anvils hung from the heavens. Rain and winds would follow perhaps even thunder and it would be better to be sheltered from such forces.

Minutes later, Aragorn spotted a suitable inlet and all three vessels steered into it. Between the two men, two elves and the dwarf, the boats were hauled ashore and the hobbits fetched long twigs and fallen foliage to cover the canoes so that they would not be flooded. All that remained was for the group to fashion a shelter large enough to see them through the storm. From her pack, Nephryn produced two extra cloaks and set about thinning and burning some candle wax.

"What are you doing there?" Pippen had wandered over to where the elf-maid crumbled small candles into little piece.

She looked up at his innocent face and smiled demurely.

"It seems to me young hobbit, that you have never had to make your bed outside in the rain. I am going to cover the cloaks with this wax, so as to proof it from the rain."

Understanding dawned on the young hobbit's face and he smiled, nodding, but then he frowned and leaned down to pick up a piece of the ground wax.

"But surely you cannot expected so little wax to cover both cloaks entirely?" He spoke in a tone such that he felt he'd succeeded in foiling her plan. But she'd anticipated this question.

"I do not purport to work miracles Master Peregrin Took. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet."

For the next half hour, the amazed halfling watched as Nephryn ground down the wax, melted it with a small smouldering twig and mingled it with water and oil. All the while, she murmured under her breath, but what she was saying made little sense to the hobbit. He was flabbergasted to see that as the wax hardened and cooled, the elf-maid had achieved the impossible in mixing the oil, water and wax into a single substance. As it cooled, she spread lightly over the cloaks. When both garments were covered completely, Nephryn stood and held her hands over the cloaks.

She closed her eyes and began to speak in slow halting tones. A soft white glow seemed to flow from the palms of her down turned hands and from where he stood, Pippen could feel the heat emanating from her. In a matter of seconds, the light and heat subsided and soft sheen of the wax on the garment had vanished as it had seeped deep into the fabric.

"Incredible!"

The exclamation had come, not from Pippen, but from Legolas who stood behind Nephryn, observing her work. Exhaling deeply as she opened her eyes, she swayed slightly and then stooped down to gather up the garments. When she stood and turned, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her and might have stumbled but for the steadying hand of Legolas, who peered down at her with a mixture of concern and awe.

Nephryn reached out and clasped the hand that had caught her shoulder and drew it to her waist. Together in silence, they moved across to where Aragorn and Gimli were erecting three struts on which to lay the oilcloth. Legolas wordlessly slipped one hand behind her back, and Nephryn leaned in gratefully, for she did not wish to show weakness.

Aragorn took the cloaks without even glancing at them, and it was only as he sensed the slightly heavier oily texture of the cloth, did he look up at the elf-maid. The question in his eyes went unspoken and she answered with only a small wave of her fingers, indicating that the process had not been entirely natural.

Aragorn merely nodded his head in understanding and thanks. The further they journeyed, the more he saw the value in the young elf-maid accompanying them. He flung the tarp up over the struts and before long they'd formed a low wide shelter, secured against the wind and rain. Near the edge, Boromir set a small fire began to boil and strain some water.

Legolas led Nephryn over to a small log that Aragorn had placed under the tarp and indicated that she should sit. The elf-prince then went over to his pack and retrieved the day's supply of lembas.

As they sat in silence, the days work begetting a big appetite, only Pippen and Merry spoke, grumbling that the elves could have made the whey-bread more palatable. Nephryn nibbled on her small portion, lost in thought as she stared into the dull embers of the weak fire. Legolas sat next to her, their hips touching. Neither spoke, though it was clear to all that sparks flared between them.

When they'd finished eating, Aragorn volunteered for the first watch, admitting that he worried for the safety of the company, as they drew ever closer to the Dark Lord's lair. Frodo broke his long silence, stating that he would keep watch with the man.

Nephryn watched the young Ring-bearer as he stood to gather his belongings. She saw the fear that played behind his eyes and knew instantly why the weary halfling opted to take watch instead of sleeping. She placed a hand on Legolas and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"I will return. I wish to speak briefly with Frodo."

Legolas merely nodded and went to set up a small area where she might sleep. As she stepped beyond the shelter to follow Frodo, she could feel Boromir's gaze burn at her back.

Already, a cold misting rain had settled. Nephryn found the hobbit at the boat, pulling out his pack. When she called to him, he straightened quickly, scrubbing small fists over his face. It did not take keen elven sight to discern that the hobbit had been crying.

"Are you alright?" She murmured softly, not wishing to scare the boy further.

He peered up at the unwelcome visitor and nodded despite his tears.

"I must ask myself why a young hobbit, surely tired from a long day's work would chose to stay awake and keep vigil."

Frodo frowned at the unasked question and shrugged lightly.

"Somebody must keep an eye for Orcs and evil creatures." He mumbled, not quite able to meet her eyes.

Nephryn smiled almost maternally and stepped closer to the hobbit, reaching out to tilt the boy's face to hers. It might have seemed to anyone watching that the elf-maid was going for the Ring, nut somehow Frodo knew that she was not taken in by its insidious lure. She caught his stare and held it, as though trying to read his soul.

"Your dreams are troubled. And so your sleep takes more energy than it restores." Nephryn whispered thoughtfully, as though the idea intrigued her.

"Yes," the halfling muttered finally, "ever since I was taken ill by the poison from the fell Ringwraiths."

Nephryn nodded in understanding, for she too had suffered their wrath, but she'd exorcised such demons very soon after she was taken ill. She also knew that the poor boy's suffering must be eased so that he could continue his long voyage. She held her hand out to him and spoke aloud.

"Would you trust me to help you?"

Frodo regarded her proffered hand suspiciously.

"What can you do?"

Nephryn smiled at the surprised question. Surely the hobbit could see that, if the elf-maid could part mists and mix water and oil, she could ease the darkness that invaded his dreams. He took her hand reluctantly and she led him back to the shelter. He lay down on his cloak and she pulled an Athelas salve from the pouch on her belt. With the pad of her thumb, she spread the filmy liniment in the shape of a circle pierced with a cross. From his vantage Legolas recognised it as the same mark on Nephryn's arm, the mark of the Illúvatar. She murmured softly, closed her own eyes and placed one hand over the hobbit's fearful eyes.

When she stopped, she opened her eyes and looked down at the hobbit.

"Sleep now, for your dreams are protected by Elbereth. It will not last forever, but then neither will the demons that plague your dreams."

"What about my watch?" The hobbit fretted aloud.

A voice sounded over Nephryn's shoulder and she turned to see Samwise Gamgee leaning over toward the Ringbearer.

"I'll take your watch Master Frodo. Fear not. I shall keep good sight."

Frodo's loyal companion smiled reassuringly, before disappearing outside to where Aragorn sat.

Frodo could not speak any more. He simply nodded his head and closed his eyes. Nephryn turned toward Legolas, eagerly anticipating some rest herself when a sleepy, muffled voice murmured behind her.

"Thank you fair lady."

Nephryn smiled but did not turn back. She was glad to be able to ease the boy's burden. Elbereth knew there would be a fair amount that he would bear alone. She settled herself down on the cloak that Legolas had laid out for her. He gazed down at her with reverent eyes. Silently, she shifted to one side, making space for him and he lay down beside her, encircling her in his warm embrace.

For the first time in almost a week, Nephryn felt secure and happy. Her head was cushioned in the crook of his arm and she drew him closer as she wrapped her slim arms around his waist. Though the rain pounded and the wind roared, they slept peacefully together, lulled by the prospect that their bonds had been solidified, and not broken as they'd feared, by the events of the past days.

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