Once more, they don't belong to me!

Special Thanks to:

Jewel

Michelle Ann/Myst Lady

Moon scar

Faia no Tenshi

Makura Koneko: No, I am not changing the title. I like it. But like you said, you would…either way, thanks for the review!

RoseGirl2000

Lin

Yen-X-54

Sphinxqueen127

So much for just one chapter! Cool! I will keep writing, I've gotten myself interested as well!

Also, special thanks to Draco's Love Slave for putting up the script to the movie. You will *not* believe how many times I used that for my stories!

Part 2: By the Way

Standing in line to see the show tonight and there's a light on, heavy glow, by the way I tried to say I'd be there…

--Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Two, three, four, five. Very good." Boromir complimented the two Hobbits that he and Aragon were helping to learn how to fight with swords they had gotten. Elenaithil sat nearby and smiled as she watched, touching the odd lyre with her with some affection as she did. "Gu-tachi are getting better, ne?" she asked Frodo as he got some food from Sam.

"Beggin' your pardon, but what's that mean? Gu-tachi?" Sam asked as he joined the two.

"I call them 'gu' because it means silly, and that's what they are. The 'tachi' means both of them, or who they are with."

"AH!" Pippin was nicked, and the fury of two small Hobbits was taken out on Boromir as he was kicked down and held there by the two. Aragon tried to help, but was pulled down by the two quickly as well. Elenaithil laughed lightly, then suddenly stopped, as if she was just alerted to something.

"What's that?" Sam asked, looking at an odd black cloud of some sort. Elenaithil shuddered as Gimli answered, "Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud."

Boromir, who was now sitting up with the two Hobbits moving away, said, "It's moving fast…and against the wind."

"It's evil," Elenaithil whispered as Legolas shouted out the warning. "Crebain from Dunland!"

"Hide!" Aragon shouted, and instantly there was a flurry of activity. Elenaithil moved quickly under a rock, and found herself next to Legolas as they crouched nearby and waited, watching.

'To try and attack…no, that is too dangerous for now. I must wait.' Legolas looked slowly over to the blue-haired girl, who was touching the cord of the lyre, then moved away from it as the Crebain left. Everyone slowly moved out of their hiding places, and the odd girl seemed to shiver slightly.

"The passage south is being watched," Gandalf said, "We must take the pass of Caradhras." Everyone turned to look at the snowy mountain, then quickly got everything together and began to walk once more.

*

"Omotedai?" Boromir turned at the sound of his nickname that the odd girl had given him, and looked away from the Ring for a moment. The sight of the blue-haired girl and also the voice of Aragon saying, "Boromir, give the Ring to Frodo," caused his loss of reality to disappear as he gave it back to the Halfling and began to walk back up. Elenaithil looked at him as the continued up, walking next to him.

"Omotedai, you should not try that again. I do not want you hurt. Hagueru wants to protect Jisannin, you know this."

"I wish you would use our names, Elenaithil," Boromir said as they walked.

"Then use mine. Elrond named me Elenaithil, but my true name is Ami. You may call me that, and I will call you Boromir the Stupid, who tries to take what is not his. Now I mean it." She glared slightly at him. "I don't want you lost, Boromir-san. That is one more person I cannot watch over, and it pains me to think of losing you to such a little thing like a ring, even if it is the One Ring."

Before Boromir could answer, Ami walked a little further up into the group, touching the snow once or twice as if in recognition or if she was trying to think of something long ago.

*

The avalanche nearly missed them, and as the wind swirled around them, Ami lifted up her lyre and strum a quick note before yelling out a former attack. "Shine Snow Illusion!"

The snow around them seemed to lift, turn, and quickly began to flow upwards as she continued to play and yelled out to the strange voice, her own seeming to mingle with Gandalf's incarnation.

"This is no storm! I am the Princess of Ice and Knowledge, I control the water and the cold. You will not defeat me at this! Snow Illusion, control this storm, control the snow of this mountain! Keep it at bay!"

The words, spoken in Japanese, couldn't be understood anymore then Gandalf's own incarnation, but the wind quickly picked up and suddenly seemed to fly towards the direction of Isengard.

Lightning struck, and at that, both Ami and Gandalf were pulled back by the elf nearby. Snow covered the group, but suddenly dispersed as another string of Ami's lyre was plucked.

"We must get off the mountain, Gandalf," Boromir said, "Make for the gap of Rohan."

"The gap of Rohan leads us too close to Isengard!" Aragon argued.

"If we cannot pass over a mountain, let us go under it! Let us take the mines of Moria."

Gandalf's face paled slightly, then he looked to Frodo. "Let the Ringbearer decide."

Frodo looked to Gandalf, then the rest, and finally back to Gandalf. "We shall take the mines."

*

"But what sorcery was that?" Gimli asked Boromir as they walked towards the Doors of Moria, "To call upon the wind and snow to move like that? I think there is more to that girl then she is telling us!"

"She has told us nothing, Master Dwarf," Boromir reminded him, "except she is here to protect Frodo and us. Why, I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out."

"Talking about me again, Boromir-baka and Toutou-san? One would think there is more to say. Look, Toutou, there is a mountain of you cousin, and Boromir, there is a way for adventure and glory! Still you talk of me? Sillies, I would think you just as light-headed as Mina-chan if it were not for the fact that she isn't always."

Soon, before the two could come up with something to say to the girl, they had come up to the doors of Moria. Gandalf stood there, smiling, then read the inscription.

"What does that mean?" Pippin asked.

"It's simple. If you're a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open." Gandalf placed the staff against the door, and spoke.

Nothing.

Ami tilted her head and slowly moved so she was facing the water. She shivered slightly, and held her lyre tight against her before whispering something under her breath. A small ripple in the water's surface disappeared quickly as the group soon began to sit down and wait for Gandalf to find the right words to open the doors.

*

"Gu-tachi! Don't throw rocks!" Elenaithil said sharply, stopping the small Hobbits from throwing more rocks. Pippin put the rock down as Boromir walked up next to the blue-haired girl and Aragon joined them.

"What's the Elfish word for friend?" came Frodo's voice, though Elenaithil didn't really hear it.

"Mellon." Was Gandalf's answer.

The doors opened, and the Fellowship walked in, Gimli close to Legolas, saying, "Soon, Master elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat right off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!"

The light of Gandalf's staff showed a different story to everyone's eyes, showing a littering of dwarf bodies with arrows, goblin make, riddling the skeletons.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We never should have come here." Elenaithil, who was nearby and with her own small sword drawn, gasped and spun around before pulling out her lyre and yelling out in Japanese, "Watcher of the dark water, be gone! You are not welcome here!"

A long tentacle came out and grabbed Frodo, pulling the terrified Hobbit out of the mine.

"Jisannin! Aqua Mirage!" a ball of water struck the enemy, cutting off part of the tentacle closest to the three Hobbits who were also hacking at the monster. The thing seemed to retreat, then a larger group of tentacles hit them all back, driving Elenaithil into the mine while the rest came out to get Frodo, Aragon succeeding before they all raced back into the mine and the rocks crashed down on them. From nearby, Elenaithil came up to where the light was and quickly looked the wet and frightened Frodo, then the other Hobbits, over before sighing. "Gomen, Jisannin-tachi, but I couldn't help too much for that."

"It is not your fault, Elenaithil," Gandalf said, "now come. We must pass through the mines quietly, for there are worse things in this Deep then goblins and orks."

Elenaithil whispered, "'And things that walked, which ought to have crawled…'"

Legolas looked at her sharply, but the group said very little else as they continued through the mountain mine.

*

Legolas walked over to where Elenaithil stood, looking down into the mountain. "Why do you act as such, Elenaithil? Why are you so distant?"

"The Quest," was her answer, then a sigh before she decided it was nearly time she spoke more of her life to someone other then her dreams. "I am from another land, as I said, and I am a protector of my hime, my princess. She is strong, and without us, she seems so weak…so vulnerable. My power is over water and the cold, but also knowledge. I am here because I must protect another now, and when that is done, I will return home and probably live out my life remembering this adventure and wishing that it wasn't as bad as it has been now."

Legolas moved towards Elenaithil. "Nothing is too bad, Star Spring, anymore then you let it be. You are wise and strong, you fight when you can. Aragon is better then I at protecting Frodo, and Boromir is better at some things then I as well. Gandalf is our wizard and friend; Sam is a cook, though from as much as I've seen Merry and Pippin eat I can see why…"

Elenaithil gave a small laugh, quiet so as not to echo off the walls. "Do not tease my Gu-tachi like that, Shashu Jukaino, elf-archer of the woodland realms! I know that you have some water flowing in your veins, and one day you will find your way to it. I also know this to be true of Frodo and Sam, and Gandalf, and all elves. I can feel water, for I am its master, the one from a place where all stars are born. Now, I think we are all confused enough, and Gandalf seems to know which way to go, do you not, Gandalf-san?"

Gandalf, who was now standing with Frodo nearby, nodded, "Indeed I do, Mistress Elenaithil. It is this way, where the air is less foul. I suppose we may reach Moria soon, so come before we leave you behind!"

The two moved quickly to catch up with the rest of the group, but Legolas was still thinking on the responses that Elenaithil had given him. 'She protects her princess, but my guess is she is not the only one. There are more, and probably a little stronger then she. What is this talk of water within me? Where are stars born that they can control water like she does, so that even as snow it comes to her call? Who is this odd girl, and why does she interest me so?'

*

"Fool of Took!" Gandalf slammed the book forcibly as the echoes of the body and bucket still came to their ears. "Next time throw yourself in, and rid us of your stupidity!"

BOOM!

"Kami-sama, protect us," Elenaithil whispered as she pulled out her sword and put the lyre away. The group saw Frodo's blade glowing blue and Boromir headed forward to close the doors. Two arrows narrowly missed his head as Aragon and Elenaithil moved forward to help him block the rotting doors.

"They have a cave troll," Boromir said as they blocked the pass and moved back, Aragon and Legolas pulling out their arrows and bows as Gimli jumped up onto the tomb of his cousin. "Let them come! There is still one dwarf in Moria who still draws blood."

Elenaithil steeled herself, and finally pulled out her lyre again as the arrows were shot, and strum a few notes. A light mist began to appear, then suddenly seemed to grow against the door and, Aragon realized, he could see perfectly through it, but he was sure the orks couldn't, for they seemed a little confused as they moved forward and were riddled with arrows. Elenaithil put the lyre away and drew her sword before backing up to where the rest of the Hobbits were standing next to Gandalf.

"A nice touch," Gandalf whispered, "but how can that help us later?"

Elenaithil smiled. "You'll see."

The orks burst through, and were killed as they went through the mist. Elenaithil finally moved forward, next to Boromir, and waved her sword. The blade began to glow as blue as Frodo's, only it also seemed to be made of ice. The girl cut down an ork, and then pointed to another one as she continued onward with Aragon, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir. She swirled once, and the fog appeared to freeze the orks before she hit them all and the fog returned to her sword, making it glow blue again.

'She is a master of ice,' Aragon thought as he moved forward and cut down orks, trying to not catch the eye of the cave troll they had brought in that was not trying to get at Legolas. 'And the mist is icy, like that of the winter morning. Who is this girl that Elrond let come with us?'

"Aragon!" the sound of Frodo's voice caused Aragon to turn and see that the troll had gotten hold of the small Hobbit and quickly dropped him. Aragon picked up a spear and pierced the troll's stomach. Aragon fell across the room, feeling his world whirl. He thought he had heard someone yelling his name, shaking him, and then a sound of pain.

'Frodo…he…needs me….'Aragon's thoughts almost scattered until he felt a small chill and something falling. Aragon got up slowly and moved towards the fallen Hobbit. 'No, he can't…' Aragon slowly moved Frodo's body, which suddenly responded to his movement. Frodo groaned and Sam cried, "He's alive!"

Everyone was surprised by the mithril shirt that Frodo showed, but Elenaithil and Gandalf quickly pointed out that they all had to leave quickly. The group ran, the only light being that of Gandalf's staff, and around them millions of orks appearing from every direction. Soon, they were surrounded and made a circle, each facing more orks then there could possibly. Elenaithil gulped and licked her lips. "Selene Kami-sama, protect us."

A new sound caused the orks to look around in fear, then the sound again made them all leave. Elenaithil and the group turned to see a dark, fire-light moving towards them.

"What is that thing?" Boromir asked. Gandalf looked with dread in his eyes as he answered.

"It is a Balrog, a being of the underworld. Your weapons will do no use here. RUN!"

The group ran, the ways seeming to come upon dead ends and bridges that quickly crumbled as they all ran towards the bridge of Khazard-Dum.

Gandalf, as they turned back to watch, stood before a huge monster that made Elenaithil blink and gasp. "Selene, [1]kago Gandalf-sama."

"You cannot pass. I am a wielder of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udun!" the flaming sword that the Balrog wielding disappeared and turned into a huge whip.

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf brought down the staff, and as the Balrog came forward it fell with part of the bridge. Gandalf sighed and turned, but a piece of fire wrapped around his leg and pulled him over the ledge.

"GANDALF!" Frodo yelled, running forward but held back by Boromir. "NO!"

Gandalf struggled forward, then looked at the group who was frozen in their spots by terror and their will to move on but to not leave the wizard.

"Fly you fools," Gandalf said, then disappeared down into the darkness.

"NOOOOO!" Frodo's yells echoed over the walls as he and the rest left, Aragon the last to leave. He couldn't think for a moment, everything seeming to go in slow motion.

'Gandalf has left us, and I am to lead them to Mordor. What else can be done? What can I think of doing? I must play leader again. Must this come to me again and again?'

When they stopped once more, starting to enter into Lothlorien, Elenaithil walked up to where Aragon was, and touched his arm. "Hagueru," she whispered, "You are a leader, and when this happens you feel that there are those you must die for. Gandalf was the leader, but now you are."

"Can I do this?"

"Hai, you can. I will tell you a story. Once, my hime died, because her love was turned evil and she had to kill him. So she killed herself, because she could not bear the pain of it. We all saw a crystal grow around them, and the world was to be swallowed in darkness. Our new leader, the one who had led us before, who was our hime's second in command, made the decision to send our powers to her, even though it would kill us. When we awoke, it was as if from a dream, and we were all together again, and whole."

"Why do you tell me this?"

Elenaithil smiled. "Because you are now the second-in-command, Aragon'ou, and you are the king I follow for now. You must make the best of your life, and of the Fellowship. They are your Senshi, your helpers and warriors. I understand what I say is cryptic, but I fear that telling the whole story will hurt you more. I can only tell you that we all trust in you, and you must trust in us as much as you can. They will follow you."

Aragon smiled slightly, and nodded his thanks to Elenaithil before moving forward.

'She called my Aragon, but added in that odd sound, like the one at the end of her nickname for me. What does it mean? That I am a prince, or king?'

'Or am I neither?'

[1] Selene, divine protection to Gandalf (roughly…okay, I don't know Japanese, only a few words here and there!)

Note: Ami's saying 'things that walked which 'ought to have crawled' belongs to H.P. Lovecraft.