Father, father, father, father Father into your hands, I commend my spirit Father into your hands Why have you forsaken me In your eyes forsaken me In your thoughts forsaken me In your heart forsaken, me oh Trust in my self-righteous suicide I, cry, when angels deserve to die In my self righteous suicide I, cry, when angels deserve to die

Systems of a Down- "Chop Suey"



The Fellowship Heads South



It was near the end of December when they finally decided it was time to go. Celebruthiel clung to Legolas that night, afraid she would never see him again once morning came. The next morning, Legolas had to pry himself from her embrace.

"I shall return to you, this I promise," Legolas whispered as he hugged her tightly one last time.

Celebruthiel placed a finger over his lips. "No promises, Legolas, for I can not bear it. Just try to find your way back home," she sobbed, wondering when she had become so weak. This was what had to be done. Why couldn't her heart accept that?

"I will," he vowed, even knowing she didn't want his vow, for she wouldn't be able to accept his broken promises if he never returned.

The hour was getting late when Aragorn came for him.

"It is time," he said softly, surprised to find Celebruthiel falling apart before him. His goodbyes with Arwen had already been said and she hadn't shed a tear. He had always thought Celebruthiel the strong one.

"My sister's heart will weep until you return," Celebruthiel said as she stepped in Aragorn's arms. "As will mine." She kissed him on both cheeks, then turned from the two. Celebruthiel couldn't watch as they walked away, for she knew she would be on her knees begging them to stay.

****

All goodbyes had been said and the eight waited stoically for the last of their party, Gandalf. He finally arrived with Elrond and another, a cloaked Elf. The rest quickly realized it was Celebruthiel standing before them, tears glistening in her eyes.

What is this?" Aragorn questioned, glancing from Elrond to Gandalf. He could sense Legolas beside him, tense and waiting.

"I ask that the Company accept one last member to it, my dearest Celebruthiel. Gandalf and I fear she needs to travel to her mother's people in Lorien, for her safety. I do not ask casually this of you. I ask for the protection of my eldest into your ranks. Once you reach Lorien, you must carry on without her." This he lastly said to Legolas, who understood what Elrond was telling him.

Celebruthiel had no desire to travel with them, especially to Lorien. Elrond was afraid she would attempt to continue once they had begun, instead of staying with her mother, where she would hopefully be safe.

But," Boromir began, but Gandalf interrupted.

"Hear me well, all of you. Celebruthiel must travel with us to Lorien, for she is at great risk here," he stated, playing on every members chivalry. "Do not ask me the particulars, for I will not divulge them, as they are not mine to do so. And you might be surprised. She is handy with a bow and could be of great use to us."

Gandalf's words had the desired effect and the protests were no more.

Elrond turned too look around at the crowd that had converged to see the Fellow ship off then he turned back to ten standing before him. "The Ring- bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him neither oath nor bond is laid, to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you," he said as he spread out his arms toward the group.

Legolas and Aragorn bowed their heads, their hands placed over their hearts. Celebruthiel stood stone-faced, careful not to lift her eyes to her father's face, lest she protest out loud her horrible fate. She also did not want to acknowledge Arwen, who stood to the side, tears brimming her eyelashes.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," Gandalf stated, and all eyes shifted to the Halfing. Frodo turned and walked uncertainly under a stone arch and away from Rivendell. And so the Nine, now ten for a very short time, having said their goodbyes to the people of Rivendell, began their Journey.

As they began the long climb out of Rivendell, Celebruthiel wondered exactly what she had done to deserve this, to be driven from her home. She would have felt better had her destination been Mordor. Lorien was the last place in Middle Earth she ever wanted to set foot. When Gandalf had come to her, telling her she had to leave, she hadn't wanted to accept it.

She'd been able to follow Legolas only as far as the fountain. It seemed poetic to watch the water falling over the top into the larger pool. That was where Gandalf found her. He waited until Aragorn took Legolas with him then put his plan into action. He approached Celebruthiel, who sat on the edge of the fountain, her fingers dancing on the top of the water. She was lost in thought, sorrow seeping from her pores. Gandalf felt it flow over him, this guilt wrenching sadness that consumed her so deeply she heard not his approach.

"I have never felt such happiness as I did the day you rode from Orthanc," Gandalf stated, taking Celebruthiel by surprise.

One minute she was alone, the next she was starring at the silly pointed hat Gandalf felt gave him definition.

"So you were the voice I heard, Wizard, the one telling me to flee." Gandalf nodded as he sat beside her, his hat on his knee. "Mithrandir, I need to apologize to you," she began unsteadily. "Of everything Saruman said to me that day, there was one lie. And it concerns you."

"Nonsense," Gandalf huffed, "no need. Let us forget all that. We have more important issues to discuss." Celebruthiel looked at him expectantly. "I suspect you have already realized that Saruman has joined the ranks of Sauron." She nodded. "Then you are aware your identity here can no longer be hidden."

"I understand," she answered, as she'd already figured this out herself.

"Good, good," Gandalf mumbled, more to himself. "Then you understand why you must leave."

"Leave?" Celebruthiel questioned, taken by surprise. No, she hadn't expected this, to have to leave Rivendell. "Where would I go?" she questioned as she stood and began to pace.

"Why, Lorien, of course," Gandalf replied, surprised she hadn't thought of that.

She stopped in her tracks. "No, not Lorien," she insisted harshly as she continued pacing again. "I will not be a burden to a woman who does not want me."

"Does not want you? What is this foolishness? And just where else would you go? Mirkwood? If Elrond can't protect you, Thranduil certainly can not," Gandalf snapped, slapping his hat against his thigh.

"Of course not," Celebruthiel responded indignantly. "I would not put them at risk." She stopped suddenly, realizing she had nowhere to go.

"You will go with us as far as Lorien," Gandalf stated as he stood.

"No, I will go with the Ringbearer, to destroy the Ring," Celebruthiel cried out, stopping Gandalf from walking toward the house.

"Foolish girl! Don't you think Sauron will know the moment you set foot in Mordor!" he yelled as he turned back to her.

"I did not think," she whispered.

"Well, start now, because it is now longer just your life at stake." Gandalf grabbed her arm, pulling her up the stairs to the eastern porch. He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look over railing at the group standing below, waiting for him. "Look at Legolas," he whispered in her ear. "It's his, too. It's all of theirs. The Ring affects us all."

With tears in her eyes, she nodded. "Alright, Gandalf," she whispered.

"Good girl. Now come get your things."

Elrond met them in the hall. Her things were lying at his feet.

"Here, I had this made for you, my daughter." Elrond lifted a gray cloak with a silver and green leaf at the clasp.

"Thank you," she murmured as she allowed Elrond to place the cloak on her shoulders.

"I will miss you, Kala." Elrond pulled her into his arms. She was stiff in his embrace. "Forgive me for not being able to protect you," he whispered sadly.

She sagged against him. "There is nothing to forgive, Father. I shall think of you daily." Then Celebruthiel broke away from him, grabbed the bow and quiver, and moved to the door, her back to them, waiting for Gandalf.

And so now she was on the same path tread by the Fellowship, headed for Lorien. She only thought if nature would be so kind as to open up and swallow her whole, she would be grateful. She could only hope that the long walk she'd embarked on would clear her head and she would come up with a solution before they reached Lothlorien.

"We must hold to this course, west from the Misty Mountains for 40 days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns east toward Mordor. Let us hope we can slip past Isengard unnoticed," Gandalf explained as he led them on a narrow path with Aragorn by his side. Next was Frodo, followed by Sam, who led the pony, Bill. Boromir, Pippin, Merry, and Gimli followed next, though never always in that order. Pippin had a tendency to slow down for a time, bored talking to just Merry, and seek Celebruthiel's company. He would later return to Merry's side. Behind Gimli trailed Celebruthiel while Legolas was the rear guard.

Frodo didn't pay much attention to the murmured conversation of Gandalf and Aragorn until he heard the name that had been plaguing him since they left Rivendell.

"She should not have come," Aragorn said, his voice sounding rather harsh to Frodo.

"Should I have sent her to Lorien on her own then, easy prey for the likes of Saruman?" Gandalf huffed. "Would that have diminished your anxiety?"

"You know it would not," Aragorn hissed. "She should have stayed in Rivendell."

"And if Rivendell was to fall and Celebruthiel captured, would you then tell me she should have come with us?" Gandalf questioned as only he could.

"That is your fear then, that Rivendell will not stand?" Aragorn asked, sudden dread falling over him as his concern turned to Arwen's safety.

"I do not think attention will be turned to Rivendell with Celebruthiel gone. And yes, I think Lorien the only place strong enough to protect her now that Saruman has turned on us. He has no clear knowledge of that place."

"But Legolas," Aragorn said softly, understanding the Elf's anguish, for he knew how he would react if placed in the same position.

"Legolas will just have to get over his anger. And making it to the Forests of Lothlorien, this should be the safest part of our journey," came Gandalf's erroneous prediction.

Frodo was so intent on his eavesdropping that he didn't notice the tree root sticking up from the ground. Frodo would have fallen on his little Hobbit nose if Aragorn hadn't grabbed the back of his cloak.

"Master Frodo, are you all right?" Sam yelled as Aragorn righted Frodo, setting him on his feet.

"I am fine, Sam," Frodo replied sheepishly. "Thank you Aragorn."

Frodo's near collision with the ground caused the line to come to a halt and allowed Celebruthiel and Legolas to catch up. Legolas followed behind Celebruthiel's silent, sullen form as they rose steadily higher. He did not have to ask to know she did not want to embark on this journey, any more so than he wanted her there. Though he understood Elrond's reasoning in some sense, he was not sure he approved. The journey to Lorien alone would be fraught with danger. The uncertainty of Saruman or Sauron coming after Celebruthiel did not seem to outweigh the trials they would have to endure to reach their destination. And Legolas didn't like the additional burden of worrying about Celebruthiel's safety. He knew keeping himself alive would be difficult enough. Though she could probably protect herself in battle, he knew he would be preoccupied with her at risk to his own safety.

Seeing that Celebruthiel had caught up with the group, Pippin skipped back to her, jostling Gimli as he went by.

"Have a care," the dwarf grumbled.

Pippin gave Celebruthiel a shrug and a grin, causing her to smile for the first time since leaving Rivendell.

"So do you think we will stop to eat soon?" Pippin whispered, knowing in Celebruthiel he had found a sympathetic ear.

"I would not get my hopes up. We still have many miles to travel until we reach the top. My guess is we will not stop until then," she replied softly.

"Ohh," Pippin responded in such a dejected tone it caused Celebruthiel to laugh out loud.

That one sound, so full of pure delight, uplifted the rest of the Fellowships spirits as if some light had managed to filter through the dark clouds.

"You are a dear, Pippin Took." Celebruthiel caressed Pippin's cheek, causing him to redden down to his hairy little toes.

Gandalf smiled at the sound of her laughter, and turning to Aragorn said," She just might play a part in this that no one, not even Saruman, expects."

They stopped to rest when they reached the borders of Hollin or Eregion to the Elves. Gimli, Celebruthiel, and Legolas stood staring out at the Misty Mountains. Celebruthiel was lost in thought, her mind barely registered Gimli telling the Hobbits of Khazad-Dum, the Dwarfdom under the mountains. All she could see was that there was not enough road ahead of her. Legolas' touch brought her awareness back. Celebruthiel squeezed Legolas' hand, which was now holding hers.

"Tell us of Moria, Master Gimli," Celebruthiel said as she squeezed his hand again, then she pulled away from him to sit on a large rock beside Pippin, who along with Merry, was listening intently to Gimli. "I have only heard stories long ago of Darrowdell, the City under the Mountain."

"I would be honored, My Lady, to tell you of Moria." Gimli proceeded to tell them stories of old, of their fathers before them who had built Moria up. And then he spoke of his cousin, Balin, who returned to Moria some 30 years ago.

As Gimli continued to speak, a fire was lit. Sam and Frodo sat before it as Sam proceeded to fix food for all to eat. It didn't take long before the smell of cooking food sent Pippin and Merry scurrying to the fire. Soon enough Gimli followed.

"I do not understand why you waste you breath speaking to one such as that," Legolas said as he crouched down beside Celebruthiel, watching as the dwarf walked away. "They hide in their cities underground with little care for the likes of us."

"They cared enough to have sent Gimli to us. And they are not so foolish as to think they can still exist if the rest of us should fall." She turned to her husband. "Patience, my beloved, for Master Gimli is as confused by our love of the trees as you are of his tunnels. But it is still our beloved earth, just in different form."

"Sometimes I think Rivendell was a bad influence on you," he mumbled.

Celebruthiel's laughter rang out like a bell through the canyon.

"And sometimes I think you and yours spend far too much time hidden in your beloved trees," she teased. "But that is only one of the many reasons I love you so." Legolas smiled and brought her hand to his lips. "As for Master Gimli, don't completely close your heart to the possibilities.

Legolas listened to her words then glanced at the afore mentioned dwarf. He shook his head, not seeing any redeeming qualities in the short, stout, bearded fellow. No, none at all. Legolas took her hand, pulling her to her feet and away from the group.

The ohhhs and ahhhs coming from around the fire caused Celebruthiel to glance that way. The four Hobbits were huddled together, staring into the pan in the fire. The four had quickly become a source of amusement to her. The Hobbits seemed to spend most of their waking hours consumed with thoughts of food. They had at least 7 different meals they attended during the day. Laughter bubbled out of her at the display before her.

"I am glad you have found at least something to amuse you in all this," Legolas whispered as they stood together, Celebruthiel watching the Hobbits and Legolas watching the Southern sky.

"They are silly little creatures," she replied as she turned her gaze to Legolas' profile. "I know you are not happy I am here. For that I am sorry."

Legolas glanced at her briefly. "You have nothing to apologize for, my love." His hand stroked her cheek. "And while it is true I don't want you traveling with us, it is because I fear for you. But who else would I trust to escort you to Lorien save Aragorn and myself." Celebruthiel kissed his hand as it grazed her lips. Legolas smiled sadly before returning his gaze to the sky. "Does it seem unnaturally quiet to you?" he asked softly. He glanced around at his traveling companions. They seemed to find nothing unusual in their surroundings, except maybe Aragorn, who also seemed to be keeping an eye on everything. Then he turned back to her.

"I thought maybe I was imagining it, being overly sensitive because of everything that has recently occurred," she replied, peering into the sky. From the direction Legolas seemed consumed with, she saw something a great distance away, to far for human eyes to glimpse. "What is that?" she asked, pointing to the South.

Legolas whipped his head to where she pointed. It was so far off, the two elves had to squint. But there it was and it seemed to be getting closer.

Behind them, swordplay ensued as Boromir was giving Pippin and Merry tips on how to use their swords.

"Move your feet," Aragorn commented, as he sat smoking a pipe and watching Boromir with the Hobbits.

"You look very good, Pippin," Merry said as Boromir and Pippin sparred.

"Thanks," Pippin responded and Boromir reprimanded with "Faster!"

"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf! We could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome," Gimli could be heard over the raucous over Boromir, Merry, and Pippin.

"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice," Gandalf responded, a disturbing edge in his voice. If Celebruthiel had not been preoccupied already, she would have thought to question Gandalf on this.

"Get him!" Merry shouted and laughter followed.

"For the Shire! Hold him! Hold him down, Merry!" Pippin called as Celebruthiel turned to find the two hobbits on the ground, Boromir pinned under them. Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam sat nearby, laughing and eating. Celebruthiel smiled. It was good to see Aragorn laugh.

When she turned back, the dark cloud was closer.

"What is that?" Sam asked from somewhere behind them. Now everyone's attention was focused on what appeared to be a large puff of smoke in the far distant Southern sky.

"It is just a cloud," Gimli stated, dismissing it.

"Moving very fast and against the wind," Boromir countered, untangling himself from the two Hobbits on top of him. Everyone peered intently in its direction.

Legolas was tense. "Crebain from Dunland!" he yelled, suddenly springing to action.

"Hide!" Aragorn yelled.

Legolas grabbed Celebruthiel's hand as both leaped over the rocks, making for the nearby holly bushes. Crawling underneath, Celebruthiel peered up as a great flock of large black crows swarmed overhead, dipping to the earth then circling back up. They screeched to each other, searching and finding their intended target. They circled the hill then flew off from which they'd come.

Everyone slowly came out of hiding. Legolas quickly glanced over Celebruthiel from head to toe. Once he had determined she was okay, he turned his attention to Gandalf, who was speaking.

"Spies of Saruman. The passage South is being watched. We must take the Northern passage over Caradhras." Everyone followed his gaze to the large snow capped mountain that loomed over them.

****

The rest of the day, the group tried to conceal themselves among the rocks waiting until nightfall to move again. As the waiting dragged on, Celebruthiel became more and more convinced that the Ringbearer spent a considerable amount of time watching her. She finally got up from where she sat in Legolas' arms, whispered to him that she would return presently, and approached Frodo. She decided it would be best to settle things with Frodo now, while she had the opportunity to do it quietly.

When Celebruthiel gracefully sat beside him, folding her slender legs under her, Frodo's first impulse was to move away. He forced his body to still. He'd already made a spectacle of himself once where she was concerned. He could not forget Gandalf's words, that for some reason Saruman was after her. Then he felt the ring. It grew heavy around his neck and he almost thought it was trying to break its chain, to make contact with her.

"Do not fear for now, little one," Celebruthiel whispered, not looking directly at him, but straight in front of her. "You sense things, this I know, things you don't understand. And you are confused. But know this, I want to see the Bane of Isildur destroyed even more than most, for in it lies my salvation." She paused then looked straight into Frodo's eyes. It felt to Frodo as if her gaze was probing his mind. "I am sorry for the burden you are forced to bear. But I believe you are the only one able to complete this task. I hope this is true, for all our hopes are placed on you. If you fail, we are doomed." The last she whispered sadly. "I am doomed."

"Gandalf says Saruman will come looking for you. Why is this?" Frodo asked, as he relaxed in her presence.

"Gandalf told you this?" Celebruthiel asked stunned, for she'd been certain Gandalf wished to maintain her secret as much as she did.

Frodo shook his head. He couldn't bear to reveal that he had been eavesdropping.

Celebruthiel sighed with relief. So Gandalf hadn't told all. "You overheard this." Celebruthiel paused as she contemplated Frodo's sudden reddish complexion. "Gandalf and Aragorn," she guessed, remembering Frodo spent most of the day walking behind the two. "Did Gandalf say anything else about this?"

"Only that you wouldn't be safe in Rivendell and Rivendell would be safe now that you have gone," Frodo replied, thankful she hadn't commented on exactly how he'd heard this information that was really none of his business.

"Frodo, I do not answer your question not because I do not trust you or want to punish you in any way. But I cannot tell you for your own protection, yours and the rest of the Fellowship. The risk is too great for all. But hear this and remember, always listen to the way the wind blows, for one can never tell when it will turn."

"I don't understand," Frodo cried, causing the attention of the rest of the Fellowship on them.

"Hear me well, Frodo of the Shire. That which you bear is powerful in it's own right. Even those strong and pure of heart can be persuaded by it. Even those you rely on the greatest." Celebruthiel got up quickly, ready to move away from Frodo as both Sam and Aragorn started to approach.

"Do you mean to say Aragorn -or Gandalf?"

"This I do not know, Frodo. The time will come for all of us to be tested, in one way or another. But I do not believe Aragorn's test lies in the Ring. His is so much more simple and yet so much more complicated."

"Mister Frodo," Sam said as he interrupted the two. He seemed to have decided that Celebruthiel was someone Frodo needed protection from and whenever she was near Frodo, Sam would be also. Celebruthiel smiled sadly at Frodo and then walked away.

As she walked past Aragorn, he grabbed her arm.

"Is everything all right, Celebruthiel?" he asked.

"Yes, Aragorn. There is no need to worry about the Ringbearer. I will not harm him," she replied as she pulled her arm from his grasp.

"Where did that come from? I never thought you had any intention of doing so," Aragorn demanded, stunned at her accusing tone.

Celebruthiel sighed and shook her head. "You did not deserve that. Things have been difficult and I am having a hard time adjusting. Funny, isn't it? This is so unlike me." She sighed again as she wrapped her arms around herself and then smiled at Aragorn. "The Ringbearer is disturbed by my presence and so I was attempting to reassure him. That is all."

"No, I don't think that is the whole," Aragorn commented.

"You know me too well, Aragorn." Celebruthiel looked around quickly, trying to determine Gandalf's location. Once she decided he was out of hearing, she said, "I do not want to go to Lorien. I hate having to smile and let my fate be decided for me. And yet, what can I do, rage against it the way Men do. I only wish I knew how."

"You spent enough time with me as a child. You should have no difficulties mirroring what you saw," Aragorn said with a smile, causing Celebruthiel to laugh.

"Yes, I do recall you became well acquainted with the floor, didn't you," she teased. "How do you imagine Gandalf would react? It might well be worth the humiliation just to see his expression."

"I'd give a Kingdom to see it," Aragorn teased in reply.

"I'll have to give that some thought, once you have the Kingdom." Celebruthiel kissed his cheek. "See that you get it for me. I have always thought I'd make a wonderful Queen," she bantered back. She then turned from Aragorn and the other members of the Fellowship and returned to Legolas' arms.