Disclaimer: I bet you get the idea by now, but just in case. I do not own the Lord of the Rings plot whatsoever. That belongs to the complex mind of J.R.R Tolkien. I do own a few characters though that I can proudly call my own! (Hugs characters and wards away evil character-stealers) If anyone does want to borrow my characters though, just ask. (Like anyone would want to).



Chapter Five: The Ring Goes South Part 1

Mari danced around the garden happily. She was included in the adventure of her dreams! Little did she know that this adventure would soon become a nightmare and would uncover strange secrets about herself that she never knew possible.

Mari had no idea of these things whatsoever. Sillaluna had an inkling, but she kept it to herself. Mari danced around until she knocked into someone.

"Mari! Do you mind?!" yelled Frodo indignantly. He was sprawled on the floor in a heap.

"Hello Frodo! How are you this morning? I am included in the adventure! Don't worry Frodo! I will protect you until the end!" Said Mari with a determined air in her voice. Frodo looked at his big sister and ran over and hugged her tightly. Mari hugged him back. She then realized that Frodo was sad.

"Frodo, what is it?" asked Mari in a concerned voice.

"I am afraid! If I do not get the ring to Mordor, then everything will be my fault! I will be the reason that the land would be covered in a second darkness. I know not what to do!" said Frodo in a sad and slightly hysterical voice.

"Frodo, I do not know what words of wisdom I can bestow upon you. But know this, I will always be by your side as your big sister, even when we are not physically next to each other. I believe that you will succeed on this mission. I do not doubt your capability to destroy the ring. Be at peace. Do not worry so much!" said Mari in a sincere voice. Frodo's face brightened at this. Of course she was right! It would not do for him to worry for the rest of his life, however long that might be. "Get some sleep Frodo."

Frodo gave Mari on last hug and walked off to his sleeping area. Mari did also. She snuggled under her cloak up in a tree and quickly fell into the land of dreams. Her eyes drooped. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mother come back to me! Mari opened her eyes and looked around. She was in the Shire again, except this Shire was different. The land was darkening, for night was almost upon the land. A swift figure was racing to Bag End. He was clutching something to his chest that resembled a small child. (Sound familiar?) Mari looked on confused. He left the child on the doorstep of Bag End with a note. Mari walked over and the runner did not seem to notice her. He bent down gracefully and kissed the brow of the small child. Then he ran away, swift as lightning.

The scene changes.

A woman, an elf, was cradling a baby. The elf maiden had the same colored eyes as Mari had. Her hair was long and raven black. An elf male walked behind the maiden and smiled at her, his golden-amber eyes full of love and warmth. His hair was a deep amber and hung to his elbows.

Suddenly, the door burst open. A wizard walked in. He was robed in white and had hair the color of snow. The elf male stepped in front of his mate and child protectively. The wizard laughed and with his magic, threw the elf aside. He reached the child and brought his long staff down on the small one. The mother lunged in front of her baby and got the full blow of the staff. Power radiated from her skin. Several cuts marred her flawless skin. The baby screamed.

Mari was bursting with anger. She ran out in front of the wizard and tried to grab his staff. Now was when Mari was visible. The wizard hit Mari hard on the side of her head and made a nasty gash on her cheek. The dying mother, the amber eyed elf, and the baby had not noticed Mari. She was not visible to them, only to the wizard. The amber-eyed elf had run over to his wife with grief written upon his face. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Mari woke up suddenly and fell out of her perch. Almost losing her balance. She caught herself in time. A searing pain was in her left cheek and side of her head. Mari brought her hand to her cheek and withdrew it. Blood was smeared on her fingers. She had a nasty bruise forming the other side of her face. Sillaluna looked at her with a question in her eyes.

"Mari, we must go! The fellowship will leave without us if we do not hurry!" said Sillaluna in an urgent tone. Mari got up, a bit dazed.

Both Mari and the black cat raced toward the entrance to Rivendell. But Mari stopped as she heard something being said about her.

"I don't want a she-elf in the group! She will be a burden to us all! They cannot fight. They need protection," said Boromir in an annoyed tone. He was throwing up his hands while talking to Aragorn.

"Do not deal out judgment so rapidly, Boromir. She may have talent with the weapons," said Aragorn. Suddenly, Sillaluna burst out and hissed angrily at them. Both humans turned around to see Mari staring at them with wide eyes full of confusion. She didn't even look angry, only disappointed. They noticed the injuries upon her face and were about to walk over, but Mari raced away with Sillaluna hot on her heels.

Mari stood with the rest of the Fellowship, waiting for Gandalf and Elrond to arrive. And arrive they did, along with Boromir and Aragorn. Boromir looked uneasily at Mari. Mari was so absorbed in her thoughts that she did not notice when Gandalf walked over and started talking to her.

"What has happened to you Mari? Why are you hurt?" Said Gandalf signaling to the nasty cut on her cheek and the bruise on the side of her face.

"What? Oh. Um, I have no idea. I was just, um, I don't know," said Mari in an offhand sort of voice. Frodo and other hobbits looked at her in confusion. Sillaluna, protective as always, meowed at them to mind their own business.

"You keep quiet Sillaluna, I have a right to comment on the state of her injuries!" said Gandalf while bending down and contradiction the cat. Mari laughed and seemed to ease down the tension in everyone.

Legolas was merely watching the doings of the hobbits, but for a reason unknown to him, his eyes always seemed to shift in that elf's direction. He couldn't help but notice that she was very beautiful. But she also had a young child's air to her. As if she was always cheerful and never sad. He wondered what she would be like with weapons.

Elrond, upon his dazzling white horse, bid them farewell and safe journey.

Frodo left with apprehension in his mind, clearly quite afraid of what would happen to him and to his friends on this journey.

Sam left with food and joy on his mind. He was not aware of the danger they were all in, only aware of what the night's dinner would be.

Merry and Pippin, as carefree as hobbits can get, left without a care or worry on their mind. They of course did not know at all what they were getting in., but were eager to be a part of whatever it could be.

Gandalf left with worry in his wise mind. He had no idea what would happen. But he knew Frodo was strong.

Aragorn left with courage and loyalty in his heart. He would protect all to his ability and would see the ring destroyed. That contented him for the meantime.

Boromir, he left with a strange feeling in his mind. He felt oddly strained and could not bear to look at Frodo for too long. He merely shook off this odd feeling, hoping it not to come again.

Legolas left with adventure written in his mind. He was away from his home and the worries and annoyances of his title, and he was purely contented with that, completely unaware of what would stir up his heart in time.

Gimli, he was thinking about Elves, and how he could stand one for a long period of time. It would be hard, but he would show them all.

As for Mari, she was confused about her dream and puzzled about her injuries. She left with much on her mind.

In all, the Fellowship departed, each with much to occupy their minds for a long period of time. They would all see their thoughts changed in time.



Author's Note: Please forgive me. (Please?). I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long. I'll try to update more; I have just been so busy lately. Sorry for not updating sooner!!!!!! If you can put in your hearts to review, please do so. (please?)