***Chapter 15. Thank you Aislin, Lavender of the Shire, Saera, anime princess, lulu bell, Scamber Dragon for your reviews. Oh and if you are curious of how to pronounce Shealyn's name you pronounce it Shay-lyn. Hope you enjoy. ***

***Nightmare ***

"Have you found it?" The scientist hissed at the guard.

"No... no sir we haven't been able to locate the Girl." The guard answered stepping away from the scientist.

From my hiding place I could easily spot all of the white coats in the room. "That is not good enough Mitchells." The white coat roared. "That Girl is the key ingredient in our plan. Ever since we lost the Wolverine we haven't been able to find another with great potential."

~so that's why I'm here~ I thought as I continued to listen.

"I don't mean find it tomorrow I MEAN NOW!" The scientist bellowed impatiently.

The guard cowered before him. "Yes sir..." He replied

I watched the guard scamper away to gather others to search for me. ~Oh God I got to get out of here~ I thought backing out of my hiding spot.

"You're not smart are you Girl?" A voice asked behind me.

Stiffly I turned to find a particularly large guard standing there a gun resting on his forearm. He stepped forward and grabbed me by the arm. "You're coming with me." He firmly stated dragging me towards the head man.

"I see you have found it." He said coming in front of us.

"Yes sir." The guard responded pushing me forward.

I fell to my knees in front of the man. "You know that this will cost you dearly Girl." He stated coolly.

"I'm.... I'm sorry." I whispered softly lowering my eyes to the floor.

I heard the man laugh and a whip crap over my head. ~Oh bloody hell~ I thought

A hand grasped each of my arms bending me over slightly. I closed my eyes tightly awaiting the painful sting of the whip. I bit back a scream of pain as the whip cracked across my back. Five more lashes were issued before they stood me up straight.

"Don't hurt me anymore." I whimpered.

"Smith take it back to its cell." He ordered before disappearing.

Smith pushed me down the hall and threw me roughly into my all too familiar cell.

"Make yourself comfortable Girl you'll be here awhile." Smith taunted before locking the cell door.

*** End of Nightmare ***

I woke with a start in a cold sweat. I looked up at the sky which was slowly turning a lighter shade of blue.

Laying back down, but found I could no longer sleep. I swear I could feel the throb of the scars on my back. ~I need to take a walk~ I thought as I stood.

Not wanting to wake my sleeping companions I slipped out of the clearing and into the forest of Lothlorien. Amazed by the beauty I didn't realize that I was being followed until that someone deliberately broke a twig under their foot.

There was silence so I knew it was an elf, but it wouldn't have been Legolas. "Haldir I know its you come on out." I called quietly over my shoulder.

I heard a chuckle but didn't turn around. "Why are you up so early Lady Shealyn?" He questioned stepping up beside me.

I shrugged. "Couldn't sleep." I stated looking up at him. "I... I had a nightmare of my forgotten past." I stammered.

"Do you want to share?" He asked. "I hear it is quite helpful." He added.

Sighing I sat down on a nearby log. "Sit." I ordered softly.

Haldir sat down beside me. "You've probably been told that I come from someplace other then Middle-Earth right?" I started.

When I received a nod I continued. "Over a year ago I was rescued from a dungeon by people called the X-Men. I have no memory of my life before I had been captured by the evil men who put me in the dungeon." I paused to look at him.

Haldir reassuringly smiled down at me and I continued. "In the year that I spent with the X-Men and the months with the fellowship I've had nightmares of the past I can't remember. The dream I had back there I was hiding from the evil man and his guards until I was found. The evil man proceeded to whip me for my bad behavior then locked away." I said.

"You are safe now." Haldir replied. "Your heart shouldn't be troubled about the past."

"I know, but I can't just stop nightmares from happening." I responded. "I... I'm scared Haldir." I paused collecting my thoughts. "I'm scared that I will never know my true past." I confessed.

"You are strong young one. I believe you will find your way." He stated as he rose to his feet. "I must go back to my post. If I don't see you again I will say my farewell now." He added lifting my hand to his lips he kissed it gently before departing.

I shook my head watching the blonde elf retreat into the woods. "I hope you are right elf." I whispered before wandering back to the camp.

When I reached the clearing where we camped I found everyone but the hobbits were up. "Where did you wander off to?" Legolas enquired having spotted me first.

That drew the attention of the others. "Yes where did you wander off to?" Aragorn asked setting his pack down.

"I woke early and took a walk is all." I responded rolling up my bedroll.

Out of the four awake three took the lie as it was and continued to pack. I noticed that Aragorn seemed to be looking at me as if he saw right through my half truth.

"Shealyn may I speak with you a moment?" He asked quietly.

Reluctantly I rose to my feet and went to Aragorn who now stood at the far side of camp. "You didn't give us the whole truth Shealyn." He stated concern in his voice.

I sighed wanting to walk away, but something told me I couldn't. My eyes glanced down at the ground as I tried to avoid telling Aragorn about my dream.

"Shealyn..." He gently but firmly grasped my chin.

He lifted my chin so that I was forced to look up, but I didn't have to look at him right? I was wrong.

"Shealyn look at me." He commanded gently.

I looked him in the eyes that only held concern. "What troubles you little one?" He asked.

"I woke from another nightmare." I responded quietly.

"What happened?" He asked simply.

"I believe I was trying to escape my captors but they found me and whipped me." I answered him.

"There is more I can see it in your eyes." He stated holding me at out arms length.

"During the nightmare the only thing they called me was it or Girl with a capitol G." I whispered sadly glancing at the ground once more in shame.

"Do you believe it?" He asked taking my chin once again.

"No..." I whispered not making eye contact.

"Shealyn you mustn't think of those evil times in your past. Think of your X-Men friends and those you have befriended here. Remember this Shealyn you are loved." Aragorn said pulling me into a tight fatherly hug.

I brought my arms up from my side and wrapped them around his waist. "Thank you Aragorn." I whispered missing Logan more then ever.

"You are welcome little one." He answered. "Now pack your things we leave soon." He added.

Silently I walked away from him and continued to arrange the items I needed in my pack. As I folded a tunic something caught my eye. Laying on top of an extra pair of breeches was an envelope. "What in the..." I whispered picking it up gently.

I sat back against a tree and carefully broke the seal.

Dear Shealyn,

I have thought of you often since you and Aragorn left with the fellowship. I miss the both of you greatly. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'. (My heart shall weep until it sees thee again). Namaarie. (Farewell)

Arwen

P.S.

Remember our promise in Rivendell little one. Tell Aragorn that I think of him everyday and I hope to hold him once more.

I smiled as I stood and wandered over to Aragorn who was studying a map. "Aragorn..."

Looking up he smiled at me. "What is it?" He questioned seeing the grin on my face.

"What does Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au' mean?" I asked.

"It means My heart shall weep until it sees thee again. Why do you ask?" He answered.

Silently I handed him the letter and watched him read it. His gray eyes brightened as he read and a smile came to his lips. "Thank you for showing me this." He replied.

"No problem." I shrugged indifferently.

"Milords, milady. It is time to depart." A Lorien elf announced coming into the clearing.

We picked up our belongings and headed towards the river. Approaching I noticed three canoe like boats gently rocking in the water. "We pray you have a safe journey." An elf advisor stated.

Nodding we loaded the boats before climbing in. Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam in one. The second held Boromir, Merry and Pippin. The last Legolas, me, and the evil dwarf.

"Legolas why must I be in the same space as him." I whined.

He chuckled and shook his head before taking up the oar. We left the shore gliding through the clear waters until up ahead I spotted another boat.

"Legolas isn't that Galadriel's boat?" I questioned.

"Yes she is wanting us to come ashore." He said.

The Lady and Lord of the wood awaited us when we brought our small vessels to shore.

"In the month that you spent here we have not had the pleasure of your company for lunch." Lady Galadriel said softly looking at each of us.

We ate lunch in silence an uncomfortable silence at that. "Before you leave we have gifts for you that will be useful in the rest of your journey." Galadriel smiled.

Each of us were given Elven cloaks with Lorien leaf on the clasp. I found out later that Galadriel and her hand maidens made them for us. Next came the personal gifts. Legolas received a fine bow and arrows. Merry and Pippin received daggers that I guess had already seen battle. To Sam the Lady gave him Elven rope. Gimli only wanted a hair from her hair. He received three. Boromir a dagger as well. Next came Aragorn. The Lady didn't have anything for him, but fingered the Evenstar pendant around his neck and spoke to him in Elvish. To Frodo, Galadriel gave him a crystal clear vial containing a beloved star. Last Galadriel came to me.

"Farewell young one." She said. "To you I give you this pendant."

I looked down at what she held in her palm. A silver and blue lightning bolt donned a silver chain. ~May this help you where your memory is clouded~ Her voice whispered in my mind as she clasped it behind my neck.

We bid them farewell as we once again climbed into the boats. "I'm goin' to miss this place." I murmured watching as the forest slowly became smaller.

Sitting up front I lazily watched the water beneath us. "Gimli..." I called over my shoulder. When I got no response I continued. "Gimli why do you hate me?" I asked looking back at him.

"I... uh... I don't know lass." He replied gruffly.

"Come on Gimli there has to be a reason why you despise me." I answered.

"Lass... argh... I do not despise you." He stammered. "In fact I admire you. It's just... I am jealous of your abilities in all areas. You are a natural when it comes to weapons......... then top it off with your gifts. I am... I am... truly... sorry for all of the harsh things I have... spoken to you." He apologized stumbling over his words as if he had never apologized to anyone before.

I smiled ~Never thought he had it in him~ I thought.

"You are forgiven Gimli son of Gloin." I responded. "Just try and think before you insult anyone again alright?"

"Yes lass I will try." He agreed.

"It is good to see you forgive each other." Legolas spoke up from behind.

"Hey Legolas what's the river called?" I asked turning to look at the elf.

"Its called the Anduin, Shealyn." He replied.

"Oh"

As darkness fell Aragorn signaled to pull the boats ashore. "We'll rest till dawn here." He stated bringing his pack up out of the boat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Get some rest." Aragorn called later that evening.

As everyone except Legolas and himself fell asleep Aragorn glanced over at Shealyn who lay asleep a couple of feet from the hobbits.

"She seems to be peaceful in sleep this night." Legolas observed as the two watched the sleeping girl.

"Indeed, but for how long this time. She has had nightmares almost every night. Those that we know of and those that we hear her silently wake from." Aragorn responded to Legolas' observation.

Legolas nodded at Aragorn's comment but was distracted by the whimpers coming from the girl. "Aragorn her dreams are plagued once again.' Legolas whispered to the ranger.

Quietly Aragorn rose from his seat and went to her side. He sat down and carefully pulled Shealyn onto his lap getting an almost immediate response. The whimpers stopped and the small body became still once more.

"You are safe little one." He whispered.

Aragorn looked down at his little charge and smiled. Ever so softly he began to sing an Elven lullaby as Shealyn drifted into a deep sleep.

*** Hey guys I thought this would be a good place to stop. Sorry about rushing through the events I'm just excited to get to the Urak-hai ( A/N: I think that is how its spelled) part at Amon Hen. I hope you enjoyed R&R! ***