A/N: Okie dokie, let me just say something. I know my writing isn't the greatest; I can hardly write a proper paragraph; and my fics can hardly be called "good", so what am I trying so say? it can all be summoned up in four words. WANTED: More constructive criticism please!

And thanks to ZonyBone for correcting me of my slip-up! I'm still not quite accustomed to writing Mary Sue's. Also excuse my bad Elvish, please correct if anything's wrong and inform me if you've found a reliable Elvish dictionary - because currently (meaning as I'm writing this now) I can't get to the Elvish grammar and literary site I usually go to so I had to refer to the unreliable dictionary that I downloaded - so if you have found one that has proven reliable please tell me.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. 

~*~

The Tenth Walker – Gandalf's Musings

~

We had traveled for many days on end and at the current moment I sat peacefully in the shadows of a nearby tree puffing my pipe whilst everyone else gathered around Mileadoulowen to hear her tales of adventure. That child seemed to have attained a great number of quests at such a young age; she is the most peculiar Elf, or any creature for that matter, that I have ever encountered. It was at that very moment that I decided upon one, and one thing only; I was going to make sense of this child and whatever magic she possessed, it troubled me, and I feel that it may lead us down a perilous path.

" – Elrohir urged me to shoot him but it simply could not be done, as I looked into that sweet Gollum's eyes I felt such a sadness that I could not do such a thing…" She said sympathetically.

I wonder. Whenever did Elrohir come across Gollum?

"So what did you do Mileadoulowen?" Frodo asked eagerly.

She set her hand upon her heart and sighed. "I set him free, free into the wild. Now he is tame under my will, the dear creature."

I cringed the moment I heard her say that she thought Gollum as a dear creature; how this child thinks is quite inscrutable. I let out another puff from my pipe, this time the smoke resumed the shape of a boat; one of my old favourites. The sky began to darken and the occasional star would emerge from the darkness and soon the heavens will be sprinkled with numerous glistening crystals.

"Gandalf? Will you not join us?" Mileadoulowen's voice awoke me from my thoughts.

"No," I smiled weakly. "I have much on my mind."

"Oh, what troubles you?"

Aggravation grew within me, 'Let me be, Elf.' I thought. 'You are beginning to unnerve me.' I quickly wiped the scowl from my face and replied in disconcert. "It is not a burden that you need to know of." I gave an exhausted sigh. 'Perhaps, her efforts are merely an attempt to aid me.' I told myself. 'There is no need to become upset.'

*

More says of our quest had passed and I fear that we may be caught in a difficult situation; we had stumbled into a blinding blizzard atop Caradhras, it was of no use to sit put; it would be the end of the Hobbits as Boromir remarked. We had brought wood for a fire but the skill to produce a kindled flame was far beyond the skill of the Elf or even Dwarf amidst the winds and snow. I was about to try my hand at it with an incantation when Mileadoulowen stepped in.

"I will help." She yelled courageously. "Glorgalad i mBelain, lasto enni. Mi anno ghâsh!" //Golden light of the Valar, listen to me. Give me fire!//                             

Her voice rang in the air and a great flame burst from the wood; a great cheer was heard from the others.

"Ai, Lady Mileadoulowen, you are not only beautiful, but you wield such a great power. I wish dearly to court you!" Legolas proclaimed without hesitation.

"And I too!" Boromir stepped up. "You must choose between us!"

I gaped in surprise at their behaviour, something was wrong, terribly wrong and it may mean the end of this mission if it continues; I cannot have those who accompany a ring-bearer bearing the One Ring be guarded by great warriors who have turned awry by some… Elf, or whatever creature she was. 'They are not focused.' I noted as I glared at Mileadoulowen.

*

My detestation for the child grew stronger with each passing day; I dread the day that the capacity of my patience towards her shall ultimately detonate and when it happens, I fear the outcome. There is a spell that protects this child, I do not know how I know this but I can feel it like a tremor in my mind tugging at my consciousness. She seemed to know everything, she is capable of anything and she does not have any flaws; why have the others not found this strange? Not even Aragorn, he is wise beyond doubt and he has not detected an immediate disturbance in the behaviour this child? What is happening?

"Gandalf?" The hand of Mileadoulowen now rested upon my shoulder. "What is the matter?"

I quickly jerked away in alarm. "W-what? What is it that you want?!" I asked in frustration.

"Are you feeling well, you do not seem yourself." Aragorn gave me a look of concern pulling back from previous suspicions.

"Yes…" I nodded wearily looking at our current place in the Mines of Moria. "I-I just do not seem to have any memory of this place and I am too weary to decide." I knew that as I said those words Mileadoulowen would soon have the answer to my problem.

"You have not a need to worry." She smiled warmly, perhaps to them, but to me it was the face of evil smirking down on me at my failure. "I know the way."

She is challenging my wisdom and knowledge and my place in this Fellowship; she is striving to take her place in a company that she does not even belong.  

Grimly I followed her lead, yet I felt the hand upon my staff tightened as I grew angrier with this child.

*

"Ai! ai!" Wailed Legolas. "A Balrog! A Balrog is come!"

Gimli's widened his eyes and dropped his axe and covered his eyes. "Durin's Bane."

I leaned heavily upon my staff. "A Balrog, now I understand." So weary…

"Leave this to me!" That ignorant girl… I clenched my teeth in rage. "This creature is beyond any of you! Go! Go! I shall deal with it!" She cried urging us to go on. "Gandalf, you too!"

At this my hatred kindled. "It is also a foe beyond you!" I shouted angrily. "Who are you?! You are no Elf! You are no creature of Middle-earth! You sicken me; your evil is not welcome here! Leave this place, leave us be, you may have some fooled but not me!" She backed up in fear. "Tell me! Why have you altered the memory of others? Why are you here?! Speak!" A feeble whimper escaped her mouth and an aureole of light surrounded her, and she began to change…