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Chapter 4

"What happened? Everyone just disappeared and I was left wandering all around with no one to guide me!" Lorelai laughed as the four hobbits entered her room. She could sense something large, something of great importance had taken place, just by the solemnity of their faces. Immediately her face fell and she stood, with worry slightly lacing her voice. "Well, what is it?"

"We are… em…" Pippin struggled to say.

""We're leaving," Frodo said softly.

"What?" she exclaimed dejectedly. "Leaving? Why? When? Where to?" Her eyes fell to Frodo's. "Why so suddenly?"

"I'm to destroy the ring."

"But… but you've brought it so far already… can't anyone else do it? Not Gandalf?" she asked.

"Gandalf cannot take the ring, it bears to great for him even…" Sam sighed as he sat on her bed.

"Then Elrond? Strider? You have already come so far and you need to no longer feel its burden, Frodo."

"I am the only one who can. The council has decided it so. Sam, Merry, and Pippin are to come with me as well," said Frodo.

"Who else is to join you?" Lorelai said faintly as she sat on the bed beside Sam, eyes downcast.

"Gandalf shall be our guide, and Aragorn has pledged his sword to help us," Merry said.

"Aragorn?"

"Strider," Sam explained.

"Oh, alright then."

"Also, Legolas, of the elves, Gimli, a dwarf, and Boromir, of the men of Gondor. We leave tomorrow," Frodo said, unwilling to meet her eyes.

"Where are you to go?" She knew the answer inside her heart, but did not wish to hear it.

"We must go to Mordor. To the cracks of Mount Doom, and cast the ring away there. There was it made, and only there can it been unmade," Frodo explained.

"Are you sure that is the only way?"

"Yes."

Tension filled the air, as they were all afraid to speak. Thoughts raced through Lorelai's mind.

/I have to do it, I still have to do it… I am still obligated to…/ she thought feverishly. /Even if it is them… even if it is him… why am I even feeling this way?/

"I… I must go get some air…" she muttered as she stood. Frodo reached out to stop her.

"Lorelai, please… it has to be done…"

"I know…" she said softly. "I just need to think…"

He nodded and she exited onto the balcony and out into the night air. It cooled her face and softly ruffled her hair. Moonlight was the only light to be seen and it bathed the valley in a cool silvery light. The melancholy mood of the evening further deepened her sadness.

/Why do they have to go? And why… why do I care so much?/ She wondered to herself. /No matter, I have to do what I have set out to do… but how shall I stay with the group… I must see Elrond…/

Quietly, she slipped over to the staircase at the side of the building and tiptoed down its stone stairs. She stealthily crept along the building's walls until she came to the main house. She could see a light glowing faintly from the upper level and so she took to climbing the stairs there. She reached the balcony and peered inside the room. Elrond sat in front of a roaring fire, his fingers paused to graze his temple in thought. He looked troubled, as if the weight of the world lay solely on him.

"Come in," he said, eyes never leaving the fire. "You have no need to hide from sight. I expected you would come."

Lorelai softly padded inside the room, embarrassed to have her whereabouts known.

"It is Frodo and the others whom you worry for," Elrond said thoughtfully. "Though you have known them only for short days."

"I- I wish only to go with them," Lorelai stuttered. "Only to… to help them."

He turned to look at her. "Help them? He has eight companions, and no need for a ninth."

"I- I know I may not be very big," she said, eyes falling to the floor, "nor strong, but I can be of other uses. I could be of greater knowledge than a wizard, or of keener eye than an elf, or of more determination than a dwarf."

He looked upon the young hobbit with pity. She was so eager to help her friends, and was blind to the dangers that lay ahead for them. "Dear Lorelai, I cannot let you go. Though I believe that you are what you claim, I cannot let you go on this quest. It is to be a fellowship of nine, and nine alone."

Her face fell momentarily before she looked up at Elrond's determined but sad face, with her eyes set with more resolution and steeliness than he had seen before. "Then I shall leave tomorrow."

"Lorelai…"

"I must continue on my journey. Are you to forbid me that too?" she asked coolly.

"If that is what must happen, then that is what must be done," Elrond said defeatedly. He rose from his chair and approached her, kneeling before her to look at her face evenly. "But please, do not feel anger towards me. I must do what I must, and you must do what you must."

"I must do this, and now I must depart. Thank you for your time, Lord Elrond sir," she nodded slightly and left. She blinked back the tiny wells of tears building up around the corners of her eyes and walked off into the night.

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He opened his eyes and drowsily rubbed the sleep from his eyes. A haunting, slow sound reached his ears. Like mist, it slowly captivated him. Slipping out from beneath the sheets, he found himself walking out to the balcony.

The cool, pale moon lay still upon the quiet valley. The twinkle of stars was visible beyond, and the night air was fresh and refreshing. He stared off into the evening, and found the song drifting to him once more.

Twilight rays upon endless dreams,

Pass o'er me through the day

Unable to leave, or burden heave

The shadows dark that stay

And sunlight morns to gladden the soul

But lay heavy upon my heart

Leaves me cold and worn, wearied and torn,

My heart feels as though split apart

He followed the mournful song as it drifted upon the solemn night air. Down through the steps to the garden, where he saw a moonlit figure standing at the edge of a still pond. Her long chestnut hair brushed past her small back in a silvery straight line. Her figure was silhouetted as she stood by water's brim. He stepped forwards and winced as his foot crackled against the autumn leaves.

She spun quickly and stopped her song. Her face was covered in fear, but she quickly recognized his face. "Frodo…" she breathed. "You… you scared me…"

He padded ahead and stood beside her, pulling out of the shadows. "I heard your song… it was beautiful…"

She turned away to stop the gentle blush from creeping to her cheeks. "Oh… well, I was just… thinking…"

He nodded as he looked out at the pond. "Yes, I think this may be the best place in the world to think."

She looked up at his face. "Frodo, how do you feel?"

He paused, and looked at her, thoughts running over his face. "Well… I feel saddened…"

"This may be the last time we ever look upon these lands," she said wistfully. "The last time we ever have the pleasure of meeting under the stars in the great canopies of Rivendell, or have the honour of being able to dip our toes in the gentle waters running here." She dipped her toe in the cool water before pulling it out.

"The last time we may ever feel safe again," he added with a heavy heart.

"I know how you feel, for tomorrow I leave as well."

Both stood in silence as they let the despondent night fill their spirits.

"Leave? But why?" Frodo asked lightly.

"I must continue on my journey. I cannot stay here longer. I'm filled with… I do not know, but I do know I can not remain," she said forlornly. "Well, I had better go to bed," she said softly. "The night is short, and tomorrow begins early."

He nodded. "Indeed."

She turned and began to walk away, before pausing. "Good night, Mr. Frodo Baggins. I hope you sleep well."

"Same to you, Lorelai."