Chapter 2: Finding the Fellowship

A/N: I want to take the time to say thanks to all my reviewers. Even though my friend Fuzzy Hobbit was forcing me to continue with this fic I had my doubts. But your reviews are what pushed me to write. So I dedicate this chapter to my first four reviewers. Much love, ya'll!

"Darling, only you are the life among the dead" –Evanescence "Bring Me to Life"

"We shall rest here tonight," Aragorn said after returning from scouting the area. He was leading the remaining eight members now since Gandalf had fallen into darkness weeks before.

Gimli plopped down onto the cold, hard ground and sighed. The hobbits excluded themselves from the rest and whispered amongst themselves. Legolas sat down on a rock a few feet away from the dwarf as he was still cautious of him. He sat there quietly with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands in thought. Although the wizard had fallen over a month earlier, his heart still ached over witnessing one of his first deaths. Boromir and Aragorn went in search of wood for a fire.

***

Annawen had heard a voice. She was sure of it. She had been traveling for almost two months and still had not found the fellowship. She walked hesitantly towards the supposed voice.

"Aragorn, I am fine! Let me be."

"Your face has fallen, you hardly eat, and there is a certain gleam in your eyes. What is it?"

"Nothing! Now, will this be sufficient wood for tonight?"

"Yes. Come Boromir, I fear the hobbits have worn the elf's patience thin by now."

"Hobbits! Elves!" she thought. "I must be right at their camp. I should wait until nightfall to be certain though."

***

Annawen pulled out her knife which she was given just before she left. It glistened in the moonlight and the servant's orders replayed in her mind.

"When you reach the fellowship you will cut your arms and all visible skin to make it appear as if you were attacked. I give you this knife for that purpose only."

She turned the knife over in her hands; not yet ready to mutilate herself. "Here goes nothing." Annawen brought the blade to her arm and dug into her skin. Blood began to seep through the wound and she pulled down, making the hole into a gash.

Annawen did this several times to all exposed skin and various other places among her body, until she was content that she looked as though she had indeed been attacked.

She walked to the campsite feeling a bit woozy. She was losing blood quickly; she hadn't meant for this to happen. "If only I can make it to their camp."

Her breathing had long since become jagged as she approached the camp. "Help…somebody…I…" she began. She saw a dark figure of a man rush over to her before she blacked out from the blood loss.

***

It was still dark when Annawen awoke. She heard two of the men talking and listened with interest.

"Can we trust her?"

"We cannot be sure until she awakens."

"What happened to her? Is she going to live?"

"I know not what has happened to her but she will live. The wounds will take time to heal but she will be fine in due time."

Annawen decided to let her appearance be known and that she was alive. "Excuse me? Can either of you tell me where I am?"

She must have startled one of the men because when she spoke he jumped about a foot into the air.

"We will answer your question when we have learnt your name and more about you."

"My name is Annawen."

"Well, Annawen, what are you doing here in the forest? It is far too dangerous for a woman to be traveling by herself."

"I wasn't alone. I was traveling with my betrothed and many of his kin. We were ambushed three days ago by orcs in the forest. Many were slain but I managed to get away. I was recently attacked again in the woods by the same pack. Now that you know more about me, who are you?"

"Strider," the dark-haired man replied. He had also been the one asking the questions. "That is all I will tell you and that is all you need to know until morn. It is late and we should rest." He turned to a man by the name of Boromir. "Get Legolas. He can keep an eye on her since he does not need as much sleep."

The man, Boromir, returned with a blond-haired elf. "He must be the one." His long blond hair had two braids on each side of his head and he had bright green eyes. He was handsome; she had to give him that.

"Legolas? Will you stand guard over her tonight?" Strider asked.

"I will." The two men turned and left, leaving the two elves together.

"What is your name?" Legolas asked.

"Annawen. And yours?"

"Legolas. Where are you from?"

"Lorien. You must be a Mirkwood elf. The leaves gave it away."

"I am," he said, a bit surprised that she knew. "You should rest. Tomorrow you will no doubt be asked many questions."

Annawen didn't need telling twice. "He doesn't seem so evil." "Legolas? Are you the only other elf here?" he nodded. "That's what I feared." She didn't dwell on these thoughts for long for she was soon overcome by sleep.

***

"I've told you all I know!" Annawen cried, exasperated. "My village was attacked so we fled. Whilst on this journey to Rivendell we were ambushed by 50 or so orcs. I ran to avoid the wargs."

Boromir turned to Strider. "She is hiding something from us. She cannot be trusted!" he hissed.

"And you, Boromir?" he replied. "You too hold something from us. Are we not to trust you?"

"This is another matter entirely!"

"Is it? Is it different? For I see it not."

Boromir stormed off and Strider turned back to Legolas and Annawen. "Legolas? Did she try anything during the night?"

"Nay. She answered me a few questions then fell asleep. She tried nothing."

"Good. Do you feel trusting enough to let her venture with us until we can get her to safety? Lothlorien was attacked she says so she may be with us for a while. Is this alright with you?"

"Yes, my lord." A slight smile spread across the elf's face when he said this.

Strider pretended not to notice. "I put you in charge of watching her and for her wellbeing. There is still much we do not know about her though."

"I am not going to run away if that's what you're implying," Annawen said. "Nor am I going to attack you. I am in far to worse a condition for either."

"Still," Legolas said. "It is a wise decision to watch you for the first few days. I accept, Strider." He bowed and the man left to help in the preparation of breakfast.

Legolas turned to Annawen who was looking at him with a strange expression on her face. "Is something the matter, milady?"

Her whole body shook then suddenly stopped. "No, I'm…I'll be alright." "Don't even think about getting too close to him. It could be the end of you."

But Legolas had other plans for Annawen.

A/N: So, did that keep any of your attention? I hope so. I had this chapter all planned out in my head differently but this is the way it came out on paper. Anyway, review please. I also desperately need ideas for the upcoming chapter. So if you have any would you please send them to me? You can get my e-mail address from my bio page or just send it in a review. Another thing, which format did you like better? The one I used in Chapter 1 or Chapter 2? Thank you so much!