Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. If you see any characters or any of that stuff that you don't recognize, it's mine. The rest belongs to Tolkien.

A/n: Well, today's Saturday again. I know, I know, I always write my author's notes after I write the chapter, but for this one, I need to write it BEFORE I write the chapter, considering there's some reviewer's questions that are to be answered and would be quite pointless to do so afterwards. So there you have it, my little explanation of why my author's note is here and not there, if that makes any sense. But I hope you alls will like the chapter and I hope my answers to each of you is satisfactory for the most part. And many of you I have noticed were severely disappointed that this didn't end up a Legolas romance. I love Legolas, I think he's an awesome character, not only an extremely handsome one, but I also love Pippin and I rarely see any Pippin fics. But I'll give you alls my word that if I can think up a really good Leggy fic, I'll post it for you alls. Yesh? Yesh.

Ashes Kittyhawk- Thanks for the review! Well, you've got me confused because you're confused over whatever's confusing. Sorry that I can't help you. Thanks again for the review!

Brilover- Thanks for the review! You sound like my friends, laughing out loud. But innywho, I love your reasoning, and I sorta kinda have the same idea of what you suggested, but not for the same reasons. It's either gonna be with Merry & Pippin or Frodo & Sam. They're tied and I ain't sayin' no more on the subject. Just continue reading. And thanks again!

Sunni07- Thanks for the review! Yay, you reviewed! Sorry, had to get into the spirit. My hint is either her going with Merry & Pippin or Frodo & Sam. Keep reading and I shall update as soon as I can. Thanks again!

Melissa Ocean- Thanks for the review! It's all good, I think. Yes, I've seen the FOTR and TTT Special Extended DVD Editions. I own both of them and are in my small collection of DVDs. Laughing out loud. And I was full aware of the Merry and Pippin thing. I'm gonna base my answer on the EE and say that Merry and Pippin grew between 3'8'' and 4'0'' considering I haven't read the books since 2002. But like I say, don't hold me to it; I could be wrong for all I know.

Kage Miko- Thanks for the review! Yes, so kind and loving. I love that little Pippin and Ali sitting in a tree thing, never thought of that until I read yer review. Took me a minute to get it processed, but yeah. Innyhoo, thanks for the review!

Now it's to the chapter. Hope I didn't make you alls die of boredom and race past the a/n to read the chapter. One reason I don't put a/ns in the beginning unless it's important. I'll stop rambling now.

Chapter Eighteen

As a rule of thumb, all good things must come to an end and it was time for the Fellowship to move on. As Ali packed her things, she felt heavy- hearted. She had grown attached to the beautiful woods and trees of Lothlorien and all the Elves that lived there. Ali didn't want to leave, but knew she had to.

"Lady Ali," a voice said behind Ali. Ali whirled around and saw Haldir standing behind her.

"Oh, it's you, Haldir. What is it that you need?" Ali asked, concealing her smile.

"It is time for you to leave with the rest of the Fellowship, my lady," Haldir commented, bowing ever so slightly.

Ali sighed. "If it is to be, then I suppose it is."

"You could always stay here, my lady. You have our warmest welcome if you do," Haldir said.

"Stay here. In Lothlorien?" Ali asked slowly.

Haldir nodded. "You would have the best accommodations and the lord and lady would treat you like one of their own."

Ali sat quiet for a few minutes. It WAS tempting to stay here in Lothlorien and be treated like royalty. But then Ali thought of everybody in the Fellowship. She loved every single one of them, each one of them different in their own special way. Ali would hate to see the Fellowship go without her. And if Ali COULD manage to stay here, she would feel guilty knowing that she could've changed something that happened to the Fellowship of the Ring otherwise. Ali shook her head.

"It was nice of you to offer, Haldir, but I'm afraid I can't do that. The Fellowship needs me, and if I stay here, then I'd feel guilty that I stayed here while my friends were out there suffering, and I could've helped them in some way," Ali said firmly.

"I understand," Haldir said. "I suspected you wouldn't, Ali. It takes a true friend to say something like what you have just said, and you have said it, and that is something. Stay close to your friends, Alexandria Wimund, you will not regret it."

"That's good advice," Ali said quietly, smiling a little bit.

"And you won't hear it often," Haldir said. "Listen to your heart, Ali, and keep good sense in your head, that's the best advice you'll hear. The advice that speaks within you is probably better than you'll hear from another person."

"I'll bear that in mind," Ali commented. "I promise."

"And there's one more thing before I take you to the bank and before Lady Galadriel says her last goodbyes. Galadriel told me the other night that soon I will be in a battle. A very big battle and that I shall better watch myself. She said you were worried that I would die. Well, you listen to me, I will watch myself closer than ever in that battle, just for you, Lady Ali," Haldir declared.

Ali smiled broadly. "I wouldn't doubt you, Haldir."

If Haldir had any emotion whatsoever about what Ali said, he didn't show it. Ali decided that Elves rarely showed emotions, no matter what you said to them.

"Well, I best take you to the rest of them. They'll be wondering where you are," Haldir commented.

Ali nodded and soon she was standing next to Pippin in a line.

"Well, it looks like Miss Ali has decided to join the rest of us," Galadriel smiled kindly down at Ali.

Ali flushed slightly. Galadriel just smiled.

"Before we say goodbye, us Elves have a gift for each of you as well as Elven cloaks. Let them help shield you against unfriendly eyes," Galadriel said.

The Fellowship bowed their heads in their thanks. An Elf stepped up to each of the Fellowship and put on a green cloak with a Lorien leaf on it. Ali nodded her thanks to the one that put on hers. Next came the gifts from Galadriel. Legolas got a fine new bow, Sam got some Elven rope, and Frodo got a small glass-type thing that reminded Ali of a star. Finally Galadriel reached Ali.

"And what would a young lady like yourself want from the Elves?" Galadriel asked.

"Nothing, Lady Galadriel. You have done enough already," Ali said, averting her eyes downward.

"You are still thinking about what you have found out?" Galadriel asked. Ali nodded. Galadriel lifted up Ali's chin slightly. "Just be yourself, Ali. Trust that you will find the right path for you to lead."

"Thank you, Lady Galadriel," Ali stated.

"But of course I cannot send you off with just an Elven cloak on your back and some advice," Galdriel said.

Ali started to protest, but as quickly, she gasped as she was given. The most beautiful sword Ali could have ever seen and an Elven diary, both adorned with Elvish designs and Elvish words. Ali looked back up at Galadriel.

"My lady, these are beautiful, thank you," Ali said.

"Don't ask of it, Lady Alexandria," Galadriel smiled.

Galadriel turned to address the rest of the Fellowship.

"I will furnish your company with boats. They must be small and light, for if you go far by water, there are places where you will be forced to carry them. You will come to the rapids of Sarn Gebir, and maybe last to the great falls of Rauros where the River thunders down from Nen hithoe; and there are other perils. Boats may make your journey less toilsome for a while. Yet they will not give you counsel: in the end you must leave them and the River, and turn west-or east (FOTR, page 413)," Galadriel said.

Everybody in the Fellowship thanked Lady Galadriel. Ali didn't know why the Elves had to be so kind to them, but whatever the reason, Ali was grateful that they were.

Soon the Fellowship got into the boats and started to go downstream. Ali was in the same boat as Gimili and Legolas, seeing the other two boats were already full. As they paddled downstream, Ali looked back at Lothlorien and Galadriel one last time and to wave farewell. Galadriel had her hand up in farewell.

"Goodbye, Alexandria Wimund," a voice sounded softly in her head. "May you find the right path to take and don't be ashamed of your choice."

'I will surely do my best,' Ali thought. 'I can do no more than that.'

Ali turned back to face foreword. She was ready to take on whatever came next in the future. As everybody said back home, bring it on!

A/n: Another author's note. But I only came to say that the small passage that I quoted in the book's said by Celeborn and not Galadriel. It was convenient and as everybody's probably realized, I'm following the movie more than the book, but I'm trying to do a little bit of both. Thought I'd note, and I hope you all have enjoyed.